US4434801A - Apparatus for testing physical condition of a self-propelled vehicle rider - Google Patents

Abstract

The physical condition of a bicycle rider is tested by monitoring the heart beat of the rider and the distance traversed during testing. A portable electronic instrument housing includes a digital computer responsive to signals indicative of the heart beat and travel distance, numerical quantities associated with physiological parameters of the rider, and a clock source to derive signals indicative of different physical activities of the rider. The distance signal is derived by mounting a permanent magnet in a reflector carried by wheel spokes of the bicycle. A first reed switch responds to flux from the permanent magnet to derive a pulse for each wheel revolution. A pulse for each revolution of the bicycle sprocket assembly, derived by a second permanent magnet-reed switch combination, is coupled to the computer and combined with the clock source to derive a signal indicative of number of sprocket assembly turns per unit length of time. A cueing signal to signal the cyclist when he should complete each pedal turn to assist in maintaining a constant forward speed, regardless of gear ratio, is derived by combining the pulses from the two reed switches with a desired forward speed signal.

Description

RELATION TO CO-PENDING APPLICATION

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of our co-pending application entitled "Apparatus for Testing Physical Condition of a Subject", Ser. No. 145,765, filed Apr. 30, 1980 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,367,752.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for testing the physical condition of a selfpropelled vehicle rider and more particularly to such an apparatus wherein the physical condition is determined in response to signals incicative of heart rate activity and distance traveled by the rider during testing.

BACKGROUND ART

In the co-pending application, there is disclosed an apparatus for testing the physical condition of a subject performing an aerobic exercise involving motion of a limb of the subject. Means are adapted to be mounted on the subject for monitoring and deriving a first signal indicative of heart activity of the subject. A second signal indicative of distance traversed by the subject during testing is derived. In the specifically disclosed embodiment of the prior application, the second signal is derived by a pedometer mounted in an instrument housing carried by the subject, who generally is a runner or jogger. At least one signal indicative of a predetermined, constant value physiologically relevant parameter of the subject, such as age, stride length, weight, is derived. A clock source derives a timing signal during testing of the subject. A computer responds to the different signals to derive a signal indicative of physical activity of the subject being tested. An indicator responds to the physical activity signal.

In the preferred embodiment, the housing includes a keyboard for enabling the signals indicative of the physiologically relevant parameters to be derived as numerical quantities. The housing also includes the clock source and the computer, as well as the indicator, both preferably of the digital type. Plural key switches on the housing are associated with the different physical activities to control activation of the indicator so that the indicator is selectively responsive to only one of the signals derived by the computer at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the prior art device is modified so it is particularly adapted to determine the physical condition of a subject riding a self-propelled vehicle. The self-propelled vehicle is, in the preferred embodiment, a bicycle, which can be either of the moving or stationary type. The computer responds to the distance traversed by the subject while on the vehicle during testing, instead of a pedometer signal. The distance indicating signal is combined with the heart signal, physiologically relevant signals and timing signals in a computer which responds to these signals to derive an output signal indicative of the physical condition of the subject by utilizing formulae similar to those employed in the prior invention.

As a further feature, the present invention derives a signal indicative of the number of revolutions per unit time of the legs of a cyclist. Many cyclists, particularly those in competition, desire to maintain a relatively constant number of leg turns per unit of time. For example, the competitive bicycle racer desires to turn the pedals of his bicycle at a rate of between 90 and 120 revolutions per minute, while a typical touring cyclist should maintain a spinning rate of between 70 to 80 revolutions per minute. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a crank mounted permanent magnet couples magnetic flux into a reed switch mounted on a tube (either the seat tube or downtube) of a bicycle once each time pedals turn. Each time the permanent magnet passes the reed switch, the magnetic flux causes contacts of the reed switch to close, to supply a signal to the computer. The signal from the reed switch is combined in the computer with the timing signal to indicate pedal rotational velocity as revolutions per unit length of time, preferably revolutions per minute.

To provide an indication of the distance traversed by the bicycle rider, a spoke reflector, of the type required by the United States Department of Transportation on all bicycles sold in the United States, carries a permanent magnet interiorly thereof. The reflector carrying the permanent magnet is mounted on the spokes of the front or rear wheel of a bicycle to couple magnetic flux to a second reed switch mounted on a fork or one of the stays (such as a seat stay or chain stay) of the bicycle. Each time the permanent magnet carried by the reflector passes the second reed switch, the switch contacts of the second reed switch close to supply a pulse to the computer. The computer responds to pulses from the second reed switch and an input signal indicative of wheel diameter to derive a signal indicative of distance traveled. In addition, the signal from the second reed switch is combined with the timing signals to derive a signal indicative of vehicle speed, for example, in miles per hour.

A further feature of the invention is that housings for the reed switches are easily secured to and removed from the bicycle. To this end, housings for the reed switches are provided with hook and loop (Velcro) strips secured to Velcro strips carried on the bicycle. The permanent magnet can be magnetically secured directly to the pedal crank if the crank is made of suitable magnetic material; in the alternative, the crank mounted permanent magnet can be secured to the crank by a hook and loop strip.

In accordance with a further feature a pacing, i.e., cueing, signal for a cyclist is derived to assist the cyclist in riding a multi-gear, pedalled cycle at a desired speed. The vehicle speed and pedal rotational velocity signals are combined with a signal indicative of desired cycle speed to derive the pacing signal, preferably a beep that occurs once for each desired turn of the self propelled cycle, regardless of the gear in which the pedals are set.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved apparatus for testing the physical activity of a self-propelled vehicle rider.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for enabling the physical activity of a cyclist to be determined.

A further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for enabling aerobic qualities of a cyclist to be determined.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for enabling the speed of a self-propelled vehicle to be determined.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for enabling the speed of a cycle wheel having spokes to be determined.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved device for enabling a velocity or distance indication of a rotary part of a cycle to be derived.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pacing signal to a cyclist of a multi-gear bicycle, to assist him in riding at a desired speed.

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of several specific embodiments thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a cyclist and cycle for enabling the physical activity of the cyclist to be determined, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a side, sectional view of an apparatus in accordance with the present invention for enabling the speed and distance travelled of a bicycle to be determined.

FIG. 3 is a front, sectional view of a reflector with a permanent magnet contained therein, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side, sectional view of the permanent magnet reed switch combination for enabling the turning speed of pedals of a cycle to be determined;

FIG. 5 is a generally perspective view of an electrode employed with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a generally front, perspective view of an electronic instrument housing adapted to be carried by a cyclist, as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 7a are back views of first and second embodiments of the instrument housing illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an electrode carrying chest strap in combination with a cable and the instrument housing illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of an electrocardiogram amplifier and circuitry responsive to closure of reed switches in the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 4; and

FIGS. 10a and 10b, together, constitute a block diagram of computer circuitry contained in the instrument housing, in combination with signal sources representing the reed switch closures and electrocardiogram signals.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 of the drawing wherein a self-propelled vehicle in the form of amulti-gear bicycle 11 is illustrated as including theusual seat tube 12, downtube 13 that carriesgear levers 8, seat stays 14 and chain stays 15. At the intersection oftubes 12 and 13 with chain stays 15 isbottom bracket 16 in which is mountedsprocket assembly 9, including small and largediameter chain wheels 17 and 18,cranks 19 andpedals 20.Chain 22 extends between one ofchain wheels 17 or 18 and multi-gearfree wheel set 23 having a center coincident with an axle of rearspoked wheel 24, in turn coincident with the intersection of seat stays 14 and chain stays 15. Front, spokedwheel 25 is carried byfork blades 26, mounted onhead tube 27. Extending in a generally horizontal direction fromhead tube 27 towardseat tube 12 istop tube 28, while a shaft of handle bars 29 extends vertically throughhead tube 27. Extending fromseat tube 12, at the intersection of theseat tube 12, seat stays 14 andtop tube 28 isseat post 31. Mounted at the top ofseat tube 31 issaddle 32, on whichmale cyclist 33 sits during normal operation ofbicycle 11.

The conventional, describedbicycle 11 is modified in accordance with the present invention to includesensor assembly 34, enabling signals to be derived that enable the distance ofbicycle 11 to be determined during a testing interval, as well as to enable the speed of the bicycle to be instantaneously determined.Bicycle 11 is also modified to includeassembly 35, enabling signals to be derived that enable the rate of pedaling, in revolutions per minute, to be determined.

Cyclist 33 is equipped with aharness 412, including threeelectrocardiogram electrodes 413, 414 and 415 for transducing electric signals generated by the heart ofcyclist 33 into electric signals. Appropriate leads extend betweentransducers 34 and 35, as well as betweenelectrodes 413, 414 and 415 andinstrument housing 417 carried bycyclist 33 onbelt 36, that fits around the waist of the cyclist.

An electronic computer ininstrument housing 417 responds to the signals intransducer assemblies 34 and 35, and an electrocardiogram signal from electrodes 413-415, as well as other input signals indicative of appropriate physiological characteristics ofcyclist 33 and a characteristic ofbicycle 11, to derive various signals indicative of physiological characteristics of the cyclist during a testing interval. In particular,transducer assembly 34 derives a pulse, which is applied by a suitable pair of leads to electronic circuitry inhousing 417 each timerear wheel 24 makes a revolution. Eachtime sprocket assembly 9 makes a revolution,transducer assembly 35 supplies a pulse to the electronic circuitry inhousing 417 via another suitable pair of leads. Eachtime cyclist 33 has a heartbeat, a characteristic pulse is supplied by electrodes 413-415 to the circuitry inhousing 417 via a cable.

The electronic circuitry and computer inhousing 417 respond to the signals fromtransducer assemblies 34 and 35, as well as from electrodes 413-415, and predetermined signals indicative of the age, sex and weight ofcyclist 11, the diameter ofwheels 24 and 25, and desired forward speed to generate various signals. The signals derived by the computer circuitry inhousing 417 indicate distance traveled bycyclist 33 during the testing interval, the speed of the cyclist during the interval, the amount of calories expended by the cyclist during the interval, a fitness factor of the cyclist during the interval, the length of time during the interval, the instantaneous angular velocity, in revolutions per minute, ofsprocket assembly 9, and a cue to assist the cyclist in maintaining a predetermined constant forward speed, regardless of the gear ratio betweensprocket assembly 9 andrear wheel 24.

Rear wheel transducer 34 includes a bar-typepermanent magnet 41 mounted in a conventional arcuately shapedreflector 42 that spans between a number of adjacent spokes onrear wheel 24.Reflector 42 is contained inplastic housing 40, mounted in a conventional way so that the inner and outer peripheries of the reflector are at predetermined radii ofwheel 24, i.e., are at constant distances from the axle of the wheel. The reflective surface ofreflector 42 is mounted onwheel 24 so it is substantially in the direction of wheel travel and can be seen by viewers broadside of the wheel. Similarly,bar magnet 41 is of arcuate shape so it fits easily intoreflector 42 and enables the magnetic flux of the bar magnet to be at a substantially constant radius from the axle ofwheel 24. To this end, opposite faces ofbar magnet 41 are permanently magnetized with opposite polarities, indicated as N and S in FIG. 3, so magnetic flux lines cross the thickness of the magnet, whereby a single magnetic flux transition occurs across a region on one of seat stays 14 eachtime wheel 24 makes one complete revolution.

To sense the magnetic flux transition derived frommagnet 41 once for each turn ofrear wheel 24,reed switch assembly 43 is mounted on one of seat stays 14, at the same radial position asbar magnet 41.Reed switch assembly 43, as illustrated in FIG. 2, includes a plastic,nonmagnetic case 44 containing magneticallyresponsive contacts 45, positioned generally at right angles to the lines of flux frommagnet 41. Leads extend along one of seat stays 14 fromcontacts 45 to couple indications of closure of the contacts to the instrument housing.Assembly 43 is selectively secured to one ofstays 14 so that it is in close proximity topermanent magnet 41 when the permanent magnet passes the assembly. It is to be understood thatmagnet 41 can be mounted in front wheel reflector 542 in which case a reed switch assembly is mounted onfork 26 at the same radial position as reflector 542.

In operation, eachtime wheel 24 makes a revolution, magnetic flux is coupled frommagnet 41 toreed switch contacts 45, causing the reed switch contacts to close. Each closure ofreed switch contacts 45 causes a pulse to be derived in circuitry included ininstrument housing 417. Circuitry is included ininstrument housing 417 to prevent spurious signals from being derived, to assure that only a single pulse is derived by the circuitry for each revolution ofrear wheel 24.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, crank revolution perminute transducer 35 includes structure similar to that disclosed in connection withtransducer 34. In particular, barpermanent magnet 47 is mounted oninner chain wheel 17, in proximity toreed switch 48, mounted onseat tube 12.Bar magnet 47 is positioned so that the opposed north and south pole faces (N and S) thereof extend radially ofsmall chain wheel 17, on the face of the chain wheel in proximity toseat tube 12. Ifchain wheel 17 is fabricated of a magnetic material,permanent magnet 47 is secured to the chain wheel merely by the attractive magnetic force between the permanent magnet and the chain wheel. If, however,chain wheel 17 is manufactured of a nonmagnetic alloy,permanent magnet 47 is secured to the chain wheel by an appropriate adhesive, e.g., glue, double sided adhesive tape, or first and second Velcro strips, respectively secured to the chain wheel and to a radially extending arm of the chain wheel.Reed switch assembly 48 includesreed switch contacts 49, enclosed by a nonmagnetic,plastic housing 50 selectively secured to a side ofseat tube 12 in proximity to the face ofchain wheel 17 that carriespermanent magnet 47.Housing 50 andpermanent magnet 47 are spaced frombottom bracket 16 by the same distance so that they are radially aligned once during each turn ofchain wheel 17.

In operation, once during each revolution ofchain wheel 17 magnetic flux is coupled frompermanent magnet 47 tocontacts 49, causing the contacts to close. Closure ofcontacts 49 causes an electric signal to be coupled by leads which extend alongseat tube 12 toinstrument housing 417. Circuitry withininstrument housing 417 responds to pulses derived in response to closure ofcontacts 49, to assure that only one pulse is derived in response to each revolution offree wheel 17.

Reed switch housings 43 and 48 are respectively held in situ onstay 14 andseat tube 12 by securing layers 501, 502, 503 and 504 of double backed adhesive tape to each ofreed switch housings 43 and 48,seat tube 12 and stay 14. Attached to tape layers 501-504 ontube 12, stay 14 andreed switch housings 43 and 48 are respectively Velcro strips 505-508, to enable the reed switch housings to be easily removed from the seat tube and stay.Permanent magnet 47 can be similarly secured to the inner face ofsmall chain wheel 17. Thereby,housings 43 and 48 are respectively rigidly held in situ on one ofstays 14 andseat tube 12, but can be easily removed whencyclist 33 does not desire to test himself or if it is decided to utilize the housings on another bicycle.

Referring again to FIG. 1,electrodes 412, 413 and 414 are mounted onmale cyclist 33.Electrodes 412, 413 and 414 are electrically connected to skin ofcyclist 33 to derive electrocardiogram voltages generated by the subject.Electrodes 413, 414 and 415 are carried on a garment, in the form ofchest strap 12, worn slightly above the vicinity of the male breast. If the cyclist is a female,electrodes 413, 414 and 415 are carried by a garment in the form of a brassiere, preferably of the type known as a "running bra" to minimize breast bouncing, skin irritation and collagen tissue breakdown of the breasts.Chest strap 412 is provided with a fastener (not shown) for firmly securing the chest strap to the chest of the subject so thatelectrode 413 abuts on the skin of the subject just below the right chest quadrant,electrode 414 abuts on skin against the sternum of the subject, in the center of the chest, andelectrode 415 abuts on skin against the rib cage, in the vicinity of the heart. For a female subject, the brassiere forces the electrodes against the skin in the same body locations.

A preferred configuration for each of electrodes 413-415, illustrated in FIG. 5, includes a generallysquare layer 421 of a highly electrically conductive gel which adheres to the skin of the subject while moistened.Layer 421 is illustrated as being of generally square configuration, but it is to be understood that it can take any suitable geometry having sufficient contact area on a face adapted to contact the skin of the subject. On the face oflayer 421 opposite from the face adapted to contact the skin of the subject is ametal mesh layer 422 of stainless steel or soft annealed brass carrying an impregnated silver-silver chloride film.Layer 422 includes acentral button 423, secured to leadwire 424 of a shielded or unshielded cable connected to a reference potential (preferably zero or ground voltage) withininstrument housing 417. Leadwires 424 for each of electrodes 413-415 has a separate shield in one embodiment; in another embodiment the lead wires for the various electrodes have a common shield in a single cable. However, the latter configuration may have deleterious results due to cross coupling of signals transduced by electrodes 413-415.

In a preferred configuration,gel layer 421 is composed of the following ingredients: karaya gum, a hydrophilic carbohydrate polymer gum, exuded from certain Indian trees of the genus Sterculia, 33% by weight; glycerin, 60% by weight; ethanol, 1% by weight; methyl-p-hydrooxybenzoate, 0.01% by weight; propylp-hydroxybenzoate, 0.01% by weight; sodium chloride, 4% by weight; potassium chloride, 2% by weight. The karaya gum forms a highly electrically conductive translucent colloidal gel when mixed with the remaining ingredients.Layer 421 has an area of approximately 4 cm×4 cm and a 2 mm thickness. If desired or necessary, layers 421 are moistened with water or a saline solution prior to the subject securingchest strap 412 or a brassiere in place. Alternatively,layer 421 remains dry prior to installation and is moistened by perspiration from the skin of the cyclist.

It is to be understood that other electrodes can be utilized in lieu of the electrodes specifically illustrated in FIG. 5. In particular, In-Vivo Metric Systems type E221 electrode or a Beckman Instruments company type 650437 electrode could be employed. If either of these electrodes is used, however, an electrolyte gel must be employed to provide proper coupling of the electrocardiogram voltage to lead 24. It is also to be understood that other gum type electrodes can be employed.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6 and 7 wherein there is illustrated the exterior ofelectronic instrument housing 417, carried on waistband 416. Inside ofhousing 417 is located electronic circuitry responsive to signals derived from electrodes 413-415, as well as fromtransducer assemblies 34 and 35.Housing 417 also includes a clock source for deriving a timing signal and digital computer means responsive to the electrode signals. The computer responds to the signals fromtransducer assemblies 34 and 35, predetermined physiologicalparameters concerning cyclist 32 and a signal indicative of the diameter ofwheels 24 and 25. The computer means derives a signal indicative of the physical activity ofcyclist 33 and supplies the signal to an indicator, in the form of a liquid crystaldigital display 431 mounted on the top face ofhousing 417.Housing 417 is shaped generally as a right parallelpiped, having approximately a 6 inch length, 3 inch width and a 1 inch thickness.

Physiologically relevantdata concerning cyclist 33 being tested are entered into the computer means withkeyboard 432 on the back face ofhousing 417, i.e., the housing face adjacent the body ofcyclist 33.Keyboard 432 includes a matrix of keys for enabling the wheel diameter, differing, predetermined, constant physiologically relevant parameters and differing numbers related to some of these parameters to be entered into the computer. Other keys andslide switch 433 are respectively provided for functions associated with clearing entries, data storage in a memory of the computer means and the types of indications (aural and/or visual) provided byhousing 17. The predetermined, constant physiologically relevant functions which can be entered are age, sex (male or female), and weight of thecyclist 33; these entries are respectively associated withkeys 434, 435, 436, and 437. In addition,keys 441 and 442 are respectively associated with resting heart rate, (low) and maximum heart rate (high), forcyclist 33; the maximum heart rate is determined from a chart supplied to the cyclist or to a physician who is testing the cyclist.Key 443 is for selective entry of a maximum heart beat rate of 150 beats per minute, for those subjects who have been clinically found to have a maximum heart rate of 150 beats per minute; a significant (25%) portion of the population has a congenital heart defect such that they should not have a heart rate greater than 150 beats per minute.Key board 432 also includeskeys 439 and 440, respectively associated with desired forward speed (in miles per hour) and diameter ofwheels 24 and 25 (in inches; if wheel diameter is the entered parameter, it is multiplied by 3.142 in the computer to derive an indication of circumference).Key 439 is used in conjunction withslide switch 433. Ifkey 439 is not activated and switch 433 is set at the "audio" position an aural pulsed tone is derived for each heart beat of the cyclist, while a continuous aural tone is derived if the heart beat rate exceeds a predetermined, emergency value. Ifkey 439 is activated and switch 433 is set at the "audio" position, an aural pulsed tone is generated to enable a pulsed tone to be derived once for each each revolution ofcranks 19 for a desired turning rate of the pedals to achieve a desired speed of the bicycle. Ifkey 439 is activated the aural pulses are derived at a variable frequency determined by the entry following the key activation and the bicycle gear ratio, as calculated by the computer in response to the signals fromtransducers 34 and 35.

In general, an entry is made bydepressing function key 445, then pressing physiological key or keys associated with the particular physiological factor, thennumeral keys 545 or aspecific sex key 436 or 437, in turn followed by depressingenter key 444. For example, if a male subject is known to have the congenital heart defect,function key 445 is pressed, then key 443 is pressed, in turn followed by pressing ofenter key 444. Then afterfunction key 445 is again depressedsex key 435 is depressed, followed by pressing male key 436, in turn followed by depression ofenter key 444. After a further depression offunction key 445 one ofkeys 434 or 438-442 is pressed, followed by entry of a numerical value by pressing one or more of 0-9numeral keys 545, followed by depressingenter key 444. These operations are repeated for each ofkeys 434 and 438-442.

Keyboard 432 includes threeadditional keys 446, 447 and 448, respectively labeled "power down", "clear" and "heart rate". Depressing of "power down"key 446 enables the physiological parameters associated withcyclist 33 to be stored in a memory of the computer withinhousing 447 indefinitely, even when power is decoupled from the remainder of the unit. If the physiological parameters of the subject change or the device is used for a different subject, new parameters can be entered into the memory merely by pressingfunction key 445, the desired physiological key, the specific sex or numerical value keys or enterkey 444.Clear key 447 is depressed when it is desired to remove all entries fromkeyboard 432 and toclear display 431.Heart rate key 448 is depressed by the subject while he is in a rest condition and afterchest strap 412 is secured in place so leads 424 of electrodes 413-415 are connected to input terminals ofinstrument housing 417.

On the top face ofinstrument housing 417, in addition toliquid crystal display 431, are aliquid crystal display 451, in the form of a heart, and a cloth or other airpervious screen 452, for allowing aural pulses and continuous aural tones to be coupled exteriorly ofhousing 417 to be heard bycyclist 33.Liquid crystal display 451 is activated simultaneously with the derivation of heart beats of the subject. Alternatively,liquid crystal display 451 can be activated in response to pulses derived fromtransducer 35 eachtime sprocket assembly 9 makes a complete revolution. Withslide switch 433, on the back face ofinstrument housing 417 in an upper "audio" position, an aural pulsed tone is coupled throughscreen 452 each time the heart of the subject beats, when the heart beat rate is greater than the rate which is entered after depression oflow rate key 441. A continuous aural tone is coupled throughscreen 452 in response to the heart beat rate of the subject exceeding a predetermined maximum, associated with entry of a numerical key value subsequent to depression of high rate key 442 or 150rate key 443. Ifslide switch 433 is in the "audio" upper position, the subject is advised to reduce his activity if the continuous tone is heard. Withswitch 433 in the upper position and ifkey 439 was activated a pulsed aural cueing tone is coupled through the screen once each time the cyclist should complete a pedal revolution to maintain a predetermined speed. Withslide switch 433 in a center "mute" position, no aural tone is coupled through screen 52. Withslide switch 433 in the lower "rpm" position, a pulsed aural tone is coupled throughscreen 452 once for each revolution ofpedals 19.

On the upper face ofhousing 417 are nine additional keys 453-460 and 560, respectively associated with the output functions: distance traversed (D key 453), average speed (S key 454), calories or energy consumed (K key 455), fitness factor (F key 456), elapsed time of exercise (M key 457), stop time of exercise/store (SP key 458), beats per minute (key 459), start time of exercise (ST key 460), and revolutions per minute (RPM key 560).

After an exercise routine has been completed, e.g., by ridingbicycle 11 for 12 minutes, during which signals were supplied to the computer bytransducers 34 and 35, electrodes 413-415, and the clock source, the numerical values of the various parameters associated with keys 453-457 and 560 are read fromdisplay 431 in response to depression of stop time of exercise/store key 458, followed by depression of keys 453-457 and 560.Display 431 is supplied by the digital computer ininstrument housing 417 with a distance traveled signal derived directly by multiplying the number of pulses derived fromtransducer 34 by the wheel diameter input fromkeyboard 432 and an appropriate factor in response to depression ofkeys 458 and 453. In response to depression ofkeys 458 and 454, the computer ininstrument housing 417 responds to signals in the memory thereof indicative of the calculated distance and elapsed time to supplydisplay 431 with a signal indicative of average speed ofbicycle 11 during testing. In response to depression ofkeys 458 and 455, the computer responds to the signals from electrodes 413-415 and the elapsed time and distance signals stored in the memory thereof to supplydisplay 431 with an indication of the number of calories consumed by the cyclist during the testing period. In response to depression ofkeys 458 and 456, the computer again responds to the signals from electrodes 413-415 and the stored calculated values of distance and elapsed time to provide an indication of maximum oxygen uptake, a function correlated with a fitness factor forcyclist 33. In response to depression ofkeys 458 and 560, the computer responds to the signals fromtransducer 35 and the determined elapsed time to provide an indication of average revolutions per minute during the testing interval.

At the beginning of the exercise routine, stop/store key 458 is depressed and then start key 460 is depressed to initiate operation of a timing or clock signal within the computer. During the exercise routine, any of the parameters, except the fitness factor, can be determined by depressing one of keys 453-455, 457 or 560; for example, the elapsed time of the exercise period is determined by depressing M key 457. After the exercise routine has been completed, stop/store key 458 is depressed once to decouple the signals fromtransducers 34 and 35 and from electrodes 413-415, and to decouple the timing signals from the computer ininstrument housing 417.

Thereafter, any of keys 453-457 and 560 can be depressed to enable the desired information to be read fromdisplay 431. After the exercise routine has been completed and all of the desired variables have been read fromdisplay 431, power down key 446 is depressed, causing the calculated and input parameters to remain in memory indefinitely while decoupling power from the aural signal source and displays 431 and 451. If data storage is not desired, on/offkey 459 is depressed to remove power from the memory and inactivatedisplays 431 and 451, as well as to prevent derivation of aural signals.

If a liquid crystal display is provided,display 431 is energized immediately in response to depression of keys 453-457 and 560. If the device is used at night, theliquid crystal displays 431 and 451 are illuminated bylight emitting diode 461, on the front face ofhousing 417, immediately belowdisplay 431, in response to depression of any of keys 453-457 and 460.

On one of the side walls ofinstrument housing 417 are locatedjacks 462, 463 and 464 for the shieldedcables surrounding leads 424 connected to electrodes 413-415. Alternatively, jacks 462-464 can be replaced by a single female connector adapted to receive prongs of a male connector in a single cable connecting electrodes 413-415 to electronic circuitry withininstrument housing 417. At the bottom of this side wall is afurther jack 465 for enabling an EKG signal picked up by electrodes 413-415 to be supplied to a conventional electrocardiogram paper tape recorder; the latter feature is utilized only when the device is testing a cyclist on a stationary bicycle where it is convenient to connect an EKG paper tape recorder to jack 465.

On the same side wall on which are located jacks 462-465 are located jack pairs 466 and 467, adapted to be connected to leads connected to the reed switches oftransducers 34 and 35, respectively. To prevent incorrect connection of the leads fromtransducers 34 and 35 into jack pairs 466 and 467,jack pair 466 has a diameter greater than the diameter of the jacks inpair 467.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7a of the drawing wherein there is illustrated a second embodiment ofinstrument housing 417. In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, the number of keys is reduced compared to the number of keys in the embodiment of FIG. 7. Key activation is associated with and directed in response to command indicia supplied todisplay 431. In response to the indicia ofdisplay 431 having certain values, the operator of the keyboard illustrated in FIG. 7a makes certain entries, as directed by printed table 213, positioned below keys 201-211 onkeyboard 212.Keyboard 212 includes ten numeral keys 201-209 and 210, respectively provided for the numerals 1-9 and 0.Keys 201 and 210, in addition to being associated with thenumerals 1 and 0, are function keys for entry of male and female genders of the cyclist. Afurther key 211, for enabling entry of numbers and functions associated with the remaining keys, is also provided.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7a, immediately abovekeyboard 212, are additional keys 214-217 associated with various functions. In particular, there is an on-off toggle switch 214, as well as a three-position toggle switch 215, which enables activation and deactivation of the aural signal derived from the speaker behindscreen 452 in response to each heartbeat of the cyclist, the heartbeat exceeding a predetermined rate and the desired forward speed cue or in response to each complete revolution ofsprocket assembly 9. To the right ofswitches 214 and 215 arekeys 216 and 217, respectively provided for clearing entries intokeyboard 212 and the power down operation for enabling the memory in the computer to store information indefinitely without power being supplied tovisual indicators 431 and 451, as well as to the aural signal source.

In use,toggle switch 214 is slid to the on position, after electrode strap or harness 412 has been secured in place, but before electrodes 413-415 have been connected to terminals 462-464. In response totoggle switch 214 being activated to the on condition, the programmed computer inhousing 417 activatesdisplay 431 to cause characters E0 to be displayed ondisplay 431. Printed table 213 belowkeyboard 212 provides the operator with an indication that E0 involves selecting English or metric measurement units. The operator activates key 201 for selection of English units; key 202 is activated for metric selection. Afterkey 201 or 202 has been pressed the computer activatesdisplay 431 to cause characters E1 to be displayed. Table 213 advises the operator that E1 is maximum heart rate, in beats per minute. The operator then activates keys 201-210 with maximum heart rate for the subject, as determined from a table. After entry of the maximum heart rate,display 431 is activated to indicate the numerical values associated with depressed keys 201-210. The operator then looks atdisplay 431 to assure that the correct keys have been depressed. If he is satisfied that the correct keys have been depressed,enter key 211 is depressed. After depression ofentry key 211,display 431 is activated by signals from the computer withinhousing 417, to display characters E2. The operator is then advised from printed table 213 that he is to enter minimum heart rate, in beats per minute, as determined from a table. The process is then repeated for resting heart rate, in beats per minute determined upon awakening, and wheel diameter or circumference, in inches or centimeters, in accordance with entries E3 and E4, respectively, from printed table 213.

After wheel diameter or circumference has been entered by activatingkey 211,display 431 is energized by the computer inhousing 417 to display characters E5. In response to display of E5 ondisplay 431, the operator presses key 201 or 210, depending upon whether the cyclist is a male or female. Then, the computer supplies display 431 with a signal causing characters E6 to be displayed. Thereafter, the operator enters the age, fitness factor and weight in pounds or kilograms, for the cyclist in response to thecomputer energizing display 431 for the characters E6, E7 and E8. Fitness factor can be determined from a table or a previous calculation by the computer. After the weight entry, characters E9 are displayed to advise the operator to enter desired bicycle speed, in miles per hour or kilometers per hour. If the operator wants to be supplied with the once per revolution aural cue signal for the desired speed, he enters the desired speed by depressing keys 201-210 appropriately. If the operator does not desire the speed aural cue signal the numeral 999 is entered by pressing key 209 three times.

If the operator realizes that he has made an entry error afterenter key 211 is depressed,clear entry button 216 is depressed. In response to depression ofkey 216, the program in the computer withinhousing 417 goes back to a starting condition, wherein characters E1 are again indicated ondisplay 431. The operator then goes through the sequence E0-E9.

After all of the parameters associated with the sequence E0-E9 for the cyclist have been entered, electrodes 413-415 inharness 412 are connected to the computer by way of jacks 462-464. Then, leads connected toreed switches 43 and 48 oftransducers 34 and 35 are connected to jackpairs 466 and 467. The operator then presses start key 460 on the top ofhousing 417, after whichheart rate key 459 is depressed. The operator then monitorsdisplay 431 to observe the heart rate of the subject, to verify that electrodes 413-415 are correctly connected. Then, the operator presses start key 460, after whichspeed key 454 is depressed, whilerear wheel 24 is lifted from the ground andpedals 19 are turned. The operator then monitorsdisplay 431 to observe the number indicated bydisplay 431, to verify that the leads oftransducer 34 are correctly connected. Then, the operator presses start key 60, after whichRPM key 560 is depressed, whilerear wheel 24 is lifted from the ground andpedals 19 are turning. The operator then monitorsdisplay 431 to observe the number indicated bydisplay 431, to verify thatreed switch 48 oftransducer 35 is correctly connected.

Housing 417 is then attached to waistband 416 orharness 412. When the cyclist is ready to begin cycling, stop/store key 458 is depressed, followed by depression ofstart key 460. While the cyclist is cycling, the parameters of interest can be monitored by pressing any one ofkeys 453, 454, 455, 457, 459 or 560. With three-position switch 215 in the left position, as illustrated, the aural indicator is activated each time a heart beat occurs, if the heart beat rate reaches a minimum value set in response to characters E2 unless a number other than 999 is entered after display of E9. If the maximum heart rate set in response to characters E1 is exceeded, the aural signal is constantly derived. If a number other than 999 is entered after display of E9, the aural indicator is activated at a variable rate commensurate with each pedal turn necessary to achieve a desired forward speed regardless of the bicycle gear ratio. If fitness coefficient is desired, the exercise routine is performed for 12 minutes, after whichtime key 456 is depressed. Withswitch 215 in the right position, the aural indicator generates a pulsed aural signal each time a revolution ofpedals 19 is completed.

An arrangement for connecting electrodes 413-415 ofchest strap 412 toinstrument housing 417 is illustrated in FIG. 8.Chest strap 412 is fabricated of a flexible cloth material having hook andloop fastener pads 94 and 95 at opposite ends thereof. Electrodes 413-415 are sewn intochest strap 412 so that gel layers 421 thereof are exposed on the interior surface of the strap. Leadwires 424 from electrodes 413-415 extend interiorly throughchest strap 412 tomale connector 96, mounted on the outside of the chest strap.Connector 96 includes three female pins, surrounded by a metal shield. The three female pins and shield ofconnector 96 are selectively engaged bymale connector 97, at one end ofcable 98, having another end including a male plug received by female connector on a side ofhousing 417.

The voltages picked up or transduced by electrodes 413-415 have a tendency to drift in common relative to a reference, i.e., ground, potential of the circuitry included withininstrument housing 417. Circuitry is provided ininstrument housing 417 to eliminate this drift, i.e., to provide common mode rejection. In addition, the circuitry filters out noise in electrocardiogram signals transduced by electrodes 413-415 and detects R pulses in the PQRST complex of pulses derived each time a heart beat of the cyclist occurs. Processing circuitry inhousing 417 responds to signals transduced by electrodes 413-415 to eliminate noise on the signal manifested by the occurrence of high amplitude pulses having a frequency greater than the possible heart beat rate of the cyclist.

To these ends, the processing circuitry inhousing 417 for the voltages transduced by electrodes 413-415 and for initially processing pulses fromcontacts 45 and 49 oftransducers 34 and 35 is preferable as illustrated in FIG. 9. The circuitry illustrated in FIG. 9 is hybrid circuitry, including four differential, operational amplifiers 101-104 mounted on a common integrated circuit chip and having a common positive DC power supply terminal. Amplifiers 101-104 respond to the EKG signal transduced by electrodes 413-415 and are connected to discrete components enabling a pulse to be derived each time an R pulse occurs in a QPRS complex of the subject.Lead wire 424 ofelectrode 414 is connected to ground potential withininstrument housing 417 as are the common or individual shields associated withlead wires 424 of electrodes 413-415.

For common mode rejection, the voltages onlead wires 424 fromelectrodes 413 and 415 are differentially combined inamplifiers 101, 102 and 103. The voltages onlead wires 424 fromelectrodes 413 and 415 are supplied to non-inverting input terminals ofoperational amplifiers 101 and 102; these non-inverting terminals are also connected to a positive DC power supply voltage atterminal 105. The supply voltage atterminal 105 is derived from a battery, typically a 4.5 volt source, inserted through a suitable opening (not shown) inhousing 417. The voltage atterminal 105 is reduced and regulated by acircuit including resistor 106, shunted bycapacitor 109 andseries diodes 107 and 108. The DC voltage developed acrosscapacitor 109 is coupled to non-inverting input terminals of amplifiers 101-104, enabling these amplifiers to respond to both positive and negative DC voltages even though a single, positive DC power supply is provided. Non-inverting input terminals of all of amplifiers 101-104 are referenced to a common potential acrosscapacitor 109, by virtue of the connection of resistors 111-113 to non-inverting input terminals of the amplifiers and a common terminal forresistor 106 andcapacitor 109.

Amplifiers 101 and 102 are respectively coupled to voltages derived fromelectrodes 413 and 415 by first and second series circuits respectively includingcapacitors 115 and 117. The gains ofamplifiers 101 and 102 are stabilized byfeedback resistors 119 and 120, respectively connected between the output terminals ofamplifiers 101 and 102 and inverting input terminals of these amplifiers. The output voltages ofamplifiers 101 and 102 are respectively AC coupled to negative and positive input terminals ofamplifier 103. The output signal ofamplifier 101 is coupled to the inverting input terminal ofamplifier 103 by a seriescircuit including capacitor 122 andresistor 123, while the output signal ofamplifier 102 is coupled to the non-inverting input terminal ofamplifier 103 by a seriescircuit including capacitor 124 andresistor 125.

To provide a low pass filter effect and full wave rectification for the voltages supplied to the inverting and non-inverting input terminals ofamplifier 103, a feedback circuit is provided between the amplifier input and output terminals. The feedback circuit includes three parallel branches, each connected between the output and inverting input terminals of the amplifier. In one of the branches is connected smoothingcapacitor 126, while each of other two branches includes a separate current limitingresistor 127; each ofresistors 127 is connected in series with oppositelypolarized diodes 128 and 129.

Negative and positive voltages are respectively developed at the anodes and cathodes ofdiodes 128 and 129. The negative and positive voltages are respectively coupled to inverting and non-inverting input terminals ofamplifier 104 by way of two separate high pass series resistance-capacitance circuits. In particular, the anode ofdiode 128 is connected to the inverting input terminal ofamplifier 104 byseries capacitor 131 while the voltage at the cathode ofdiode 129 is coupled to the non-inverting input terminal ofamplifier 104 byseries capacitor 133. A feedback circuit including the parallel combination ofcapacitor 135 andresistor 136, between the output and inverting input terminals ofamplifier 104, provides low pass filtering for the differential signal derived at the output ofamplifier 104.

Because of the full wave rectifying effect ofdiodes 128 and 129 and the differential connections between the outputs ofamplifiers 101 and 102 to the input terminals ofamplifier 103 and the dual outputs ofamplifier 103 atdiodes 128 and 129, the output ofamplifier 104 is always a positive voltage, regardless of the manner in which the leads from electrodes 413-415 are connected to the circuitry withininstrument housing 417. The circuitry described is a precision full wave, rectifying amplifier so the output voltage ofamplifier 104 is a positive voltage that is a relatively accurate replica of each R pulse in a PQRST complex, regardless of whetherelectrode 413 or 415 is coupled to the inverting input terminal ofamplifier 101, and regardless of whether the voltage fromelectrode 415 and 413 is coupled to inverting input terminal ofamplifier 102.

Resistors 111, 112, 123 and 125, as well ascapacitors 115, 117, 122, 124, 131 and 134, form a high pass filter having a cutoff frequency of approximately 16 Hertz and a roll-off of 18 db per octave.Capacitor 126,resistor 127,capacitor 135 andresistor 136 form a low pass filter having a cut-off frequency of approximately 34 Hertz, with a roll-off of 12 db per octave. The resulting band pass filter derives a wave that is an accurate replica of the R wave of the PQRST complex with common mode rejection, to enable the R pulse to be stabilized to a DC reference and minimize noise which might be picked up by electrodes 413-415.

The R pulse in a PQRST complex, being the highest amplitude pulse in the complex, is supplied to a clamping circuit includingseries capacitor 141 and normally backed biased NPN transistor 142, having a collector electrode connected to the DC powersupply voltage terminal 105 byresistor 143. The emitter collector path of transistor 142 is normally back biased to cut off byresistor 144, directly shunting the transistor emitter base junction which functions as a shunt diode. In response to the R pulse being derived from the output ofamplifier 104, the emitter base junction of transistor 142 is forward biased, whereby current momentarily flows throughcollector resistor 143, to lower the voltage at the collector of transistor 142 virtually to ground, and the base-emitter junction of transistor 142 functions as a diode. The diode action of the emitter base junction of transistor 142 causes the base circuit of the transistor to function as a positive peak detector for the R pulse, whereby the base of transistor 142 can rise only about 600 millivolts above ground, but it can be driven considerably below ground in response to the output ofamplifier 104. The negative voltage at the base of transistor 142 decays relatively slowly toward ground because of a 100 millisecond time constant ofcapacitor 141 andresistor 144, thereby virtually assuring a one-to-one relation between heart beats of the subject and the negative going pulses derived at the collector of transistor 142.

It is possible that noise may forward the base emitter path of transistor 142. Such noise is likely to occur at a frequency higher than the possible maximum heart beat rate of a cyclist; typically the maximum heart rate is approximately 240 beats per minute, i.e., 4 beats per second. To prevent such noise from being erroneously indicated as a heart beat, a timing circuit including oneshot multivibrator 145 is provided.

Oneshot multivibrator 145 is part of a one shot integrated circuit chip also including oneshot multivibrators 146 and 545, respectively responsive to closures ofreed switch contacts 45 and 49 ofdistance monitoring transducer 34 and pedalRPM monitoring transducer 35. Oneshots 146 and 545 are connected to be responsive to switchcontacts 45 and 49 so that a pulse is derived from each ofcircuits 146 and 545 eachtime wheels 24 andpedals 19 respectively make one revolution. Oneshots 146 and 545 include circuitry to enable the one shots to derive a single pulse for each revolution ofrear wheel 24 and each revolution ofpedals 19, even if there is a tendency forreed switch contacts 45 and 49 to bounce.

Oneshots 145, 146 and 545 include trigger input terminals respectively responsive to the outputs of ORgates 147, 148 and 548. ORgate 147 includes an inverting input terminal responsive to the voltage at the collector of transistor 142 and a non-inverting terminal responsive to the output of oneshot 145. Input terminals of oneshot 145 are connected to a timing circuit includingseries resistor 149 andcapacitor 150, connected between the positive DC power supply voltage atterminal 105 and ground. Similar timing circuits including series connectedresistor 550 andcapacitor 151 and series connected resistor 551 andcapacitor 552 are connected between the positive power supply voltage and ground for oneshots 146 and 545.

Pulses derived from the output terminal of oneshot 145 are selectively coupled under the control ofslide switch 443 to an energization source to the electrodes of liquidcrystal display indicator 451, to signal to the cyclist each time a heart beat occurs. Alternatively,switch 443 is activated to cause the output signal of one shot 545 to energizeindicator 451, to signal to the cyclist each time his legs have turnedpedals 19 one revolution.

The output signals of oneshots 145, 146 and 545 are supplied to the digital computer withinhousing 417. If the invention is utilized in connection with a stationary bicycle, the output signals of oneshots 145, 146 and 545 can be supplied to a telephone line by a suitable jack (not shown) onhousing 417, for telemetering purposes. Because of the inability of a telephone line to handle very low frequency pulses, pulses derived from the output terminals of oneshots 146 and 545 are converted into a DC voltage, having an amplitude proportional to the pulse rate, with such a conversion being accomplished by averaging networks (not shown) external tohousing 417. Output signals derived from the averaging networks are applied as control input voltages to a pair of variable frequency oscillators (external to housing 47), which can be connected to a suitable communication link, such as a telephone line.

If the output signal of transistor 142 is noisy, whereby pulses are derived from the collector of transistor 142 more often that the minimum period between adjacent heart beats of the cyclist (0.22 seconds), as determined by the values ofresistor 149 andcapacitor 150, ORgate 147 blocks passage of such a noisy signal from the transistor output to the trigger input of oneshot 145.

Each closure ofreed switch contacts 45 and 49, each timerear wheel 24 makes a revolution and eachtime pedals 19 make a revolution, causes the voltages acrossshunt capacitors 159 and 559 to be reduced substantially to ground. Thereby, negative going pulses are established acrosscapacitors 159 and 559, respectively connected to the positive DC voltage atterminal 105 throughresistors 160 and 560. The negative going pulses, respectively developed acrosscapacitors 159 and 559 in response to each closure ofcontacts 45 and 49, are coupled through inverting input terminals of ORgates 148 and 548 to trigger input terminals of oneshots 146 and 545. Each such pulse is converted by oneshot 146 and one shot 545 into a pulse having a predetermined amplitude and duration. To this end, oneshots 146 and 545 are connected to first and second timing circuits respectively includingresistor 550 in combination with capacitor 551 andresistor 552 in combination withcapacitor 553.

The output terminals of oneshots 146 and 545 are respectively coupled to non-inverting input terminals of ORgates 148 and 548. The connections beween the output terminals of oneshots 146 and 545 and the non-inverting input terminals of ORgates 148 and 548 cause the one shots to be wried in a nonretriggerable mode. The component values associated with oneshots 146 and 545 and the connections to the terminals of the one shots and to ORgates 148 and 548 are such that maximum wheel velocities of four revolutions per second and maximum pedal velocities of three revolutions per second. If there are two adjacent closures ofreed switch contacts 45 in less than 0.25 seconds, the second switch closure is ignored by oneshot 146 and the circuitry associated therewith because of the values ofresistor 550 andcapacitor 151 and the presence ofOR gate 148. Similarly, if two adjacent closures ofreed switch contacts 49 occur in less than 0.25 seconds, the second closure is ignored by oneshot 545, by virtue of proper selection of the values for resistor 551 andcapacitor 552, and as a result of the presence ofOR gate 548.

Reference is now made to the system block diagram, FIGS. 10a and 10b, to provide an indication of the overall organization of the electronic circuitry included in the present invention. All of the elements illustrated in the block diagram of FIGS. 10a or 10b are located either on the surface or inside ofhousing 317. In addition, the circuitry of FIG. 9 is located inhousing 317. The electronic circuitry illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b can be subdivided into a number of segments, namely: a 64pin microcomputer 301, an eraseable programmable read-only memory 302,controller 303 forliquid crystal display 431, a 10millisecond oscillator 304, a 2kHz audio oscillator 305, audio selector and output circuitry 306,DC power supply 307,driver circuitry 308 forcontroller 303 andliquid crystal display 451, power upcircuit 309, andkeyboard 212.

In a preferred configuration,microcomputer 301 is a 64 pin Nippon Electric 7502 microprocessor including an internal arithmetic logic unit, accumulator, random access memory and oscillator. The arithmetic logic unit inmicrocomputer 301 responds to signals from timingoscillator 304, rear wheel pulses from one shot 146 (FIG. 9), pedal RPM pulses from oneshot 545, heart beat signals from oneshot 145, and signals fromkeyboard 212. The arithmetic logic unit withinmicrocomputer 301 responds to these signals, combines them and stores them in a 4-bit accumulator for processing. Outputs of the accumulator are applied to output latches 01-08 and 01L, as well as to a random access memory and arithmetic logic unit withinmicrocomputer 301. Data are stored in the random access memory inmicrocomputer 301 and sixty-four 4-bit words. The 4-bit words are conveniently grouped into four 16-word files addressed by a two-bit index register included in the microcomputer. A second 4-bit register inmicrocomputer 301 addresses one of the sixteen words in one of the four files within the microcomputer.

The program which controlsmicrocomputer 301 is stored in erasable programmable read onlymemory 302.Memory 302 includes two separate1K memory elements 311 and 312, each of which in a preferred embodiment is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor memory, type IM66541JG, available from Texas Instruments.Memory elements 311 and 312 are addressed in response to signals supplied bymicrocomputer 301 to output terminals PA0-PA3 and PC0-PC5 thereof. The addressing signals are supplied to input terminals A0-A8 ofmemory elements 311 and 312, with a selection of one of the memory elements being in response to opposite valued signals supplied toterminals 5 ofmemory elements 311 and 312 from terminal PA0 ofmicrocomputer 301. The output at terminal PA0 is applied directly toterminal 5 ofmemory element 311, and toterminal 5 ofmemory element 312 by way ofinverter 313.Memory elements 311 and 312 include parallel data output terminals D0-D7 which are applied to input terminals I0-I7 ofmicrocomputer 301.Microcomputer 301 responds to the signals at terminals I0-I7 to control the coupling of signals between the various inputs and outputs of the microcomputer and between the elements within the microcomputer.Microcomputer 301 operates with a basic instruction cycle of ten microseconds, to provide ten thousand instructions per second, due to the values ofresistor 314, connected between microcomputer terminals OSC1 and OSC2, as well ascapacitor 315, which shunts terminal OSC1 to ground; terminals OSC1 and OSC2 are connected to the oscillator in the microcomputer.

Heart beat, wheel rate and pedal rate signals, respectively derive from oneshots 145, 146 and 545, FIG. 9, are supplied to input terminals L2, L3 and L4 ofmicrocomputer 301. Input terminals K1, K2, K4 and K8 ofmicrocomputer 301 are responsive to closure of switches inkeyboard 212 in response to depression of keys 201-210 and push buttons 453-460 and 560.

Key switches inkeyboard 212 are arranged in a four-row by five-column matrix, with the four rows of the matrix supplying signals to input terminals K1, K2, K4 and K8 ofmicrocomputer 301. Column leads inkeyboard 212 are sequentially responsive, on a time multiplex basis, to signals supplied bymicrocomputer 301 to output terminals R8, R9, R10, R11 and R12 thereof. Closure of the switch associated withstart button 460 causes a pulse to be supplied to input terminal K8 ofmicrocomputer 301 when the microcomputer is supplying a pulse to output terminal R12 thereof. The duration of the start switch closure is always sufficiently long compared to the normal operating cycle ofmicrocomputer 301 to assure coupling of a pulse to input terminal K8, which pulse sets accumulators inmicrocomputer 301 to zero, and enables monitoring of other parameters by the microcomputer to be initiated. Closure of the switch associated with stop/store button 458 causes a pulse supplied bymicrocomputer 301 to terminal R11 to be coupled to terminal K8, to freeze the last calculated display values in memory, and enable them to be constantly supplied toliquid crystal display 431 bycontroller 303.

Time oscillator 304 supplies ten millisecond pulses to input terminal L8 ofmicrocomputer 301 to enable the microcomputer to calculate elapsed exercise time, cycling speed, pedal revolution speed, fitness factor and other related parameters.Oscillator 304 includes an integrated circuit chip, in a preferred embodiment an ICM 7556 IPD chip, available from Texas Instruments. The periodicity of pulses derived from an oscillator in chip 316 is determined by the values of a timingcircuit including resistors 317 and 318, in combination withcapacitor 319. The series combination ofresistors 317 and 318, as well ascapacitor 319, is connected between a positive DC supply voltage and ground, with a tap betweenresistor 317 and 318 connected toterminal 13 of chip 316, and a tap betweenresistor 318 andcapacitor 319 connected in parallel toterminals 8 and 12 of chip 316. Chip 316 has anoutput terminal 9 connected to input terminal L8 ofmicrocomputer 301. The signal supplied byoscillator 304 tomicrocomputer 301 is counted down by frequency dividers in the microcomputer into 0.01, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 second increments, as well as into 0.1, 1.0, 10 and 100 minute increments.

Microcomputer 301 is programmed in response to signals frommemory 302 to respond to the signals applied to input terminals L2, L3, K1, K2, K4, K8, L4 and L8 to calculate heart rate in beats per minute, distance traveled in miles, average speed of the distance traversed in miles per hour average revolution speed ofpedals 19, in revolutions per minute, energy consumption in kilocalories, and fitness factor, as well as to determine elapsed exercise time and to selectively derive a cue signal for each desired turn ofpedals 19 regardless of the bicycle gear ratio for a selected forward speed. These parameters are constantly being computed bymicrocomputer 301 and are selectively supplied to outputs thereof, in response to depression of keys withinkeyboard 212. Basically,microcomputer 301 multiplexes all of the inputs supplied to it to calculate these parameters, as well as to activatecontroller 303 with the various characters onprogram board 213.Microcomputer 301 is programmed in a conventional manner to perform these functions.

Beats per minute is determined bymicrocomputer 301 by combining the heart beat signal from oneshot 145, as applied to terminal L2, with the output oftime oscillator 304, as applied to terminal L8. Basically,microcomputer 301 responds to the signals applied to terminals L2 and L8 thereof to determine the length of time required for four beats of the heart. This time interval is divided by a constant, equal to 24,000. In other words, beats per minute is determined from: ##EQU1## where, B equals number of heart beat signals, and T equals time in seconds.

Microcomputer 301 responds to the number of revolutions ofwheel 24 signal derived from oneshot 146 and the timing signals derived from oscillator 316, respectively applied to input terminals L4 and L8 of the microcomputer, as well as the wheel diameter signal, to calculate miles per hour. From the number of revolutions ofwheel 24, as applied to input terminal L4, and the initial entry for wheel diameter of the subject, as derived fromkeyboard 212 and stored in the random access memory ofmicrocomputer 301, and a predetermined constant relating inches to miles, the microcomputer calculates total distance in tenths of miles. From the calculation of tenths of miles, miles per hour is calculated from 60 D/T, where D equals distance in miles, and T equals time in minutes.

Microcomputer 301 responds to the signal from oneshot 545 and the timing signal fromoscillator 304 to provide an indication of revolutions per minute ofpedals 19 in accordance with: R/T, where R equals the total number of revolutions ofpedals 19, as indicated by the total number of pulses derived by oneshot 545, and T equals total time in minutes.

The fitness factor of the cyclist is calculated bymicrocomputer 301 aftercyclist 33 has exercised to his maximum ability onbicycle 11 for 12 minutes. To determine fitness factor,microcomputer 301 responds to signals supplied to input terminals L4 and L8 thereof from oneshot multivibrator 146 andtiming oscillator 304, as well as activation of one ofgender keys 201 or 210 and numeral signals derived from keys 201-209 after display of E3, E4, E6 and E8. In response to the signal from oneshot 146 and the previously keyed wheel diameter and a predetermined constant relating wheel diameter in inches to miles, distance traversed is determined bymicrocomputer 301. After 12 minutes of maximum capacity exercising, the fitness factor is computed in response to a pulse generated inmicrocomputer 301. Hence, the length of the exercise time is not a factor entering into the calculation of fitness, but is employed to determine when the.fitness factor calculation should be terminated. Absolute fitness factor is calculated in response to the signal supplied tomicrocomputer 301 as: ##EQU2## where F=absolute fitness factor

Dm=distance traversed in meters for a 12 minute exercise

b, c and d are predetermined constants.

From the calculation of F, absolute fitness factor for amale cyclist 15 years of age or older is calculated bymicrocomputer 301 as: ##EQU3## for afemale cyclist 15 years of age or older, actual fitness is calculated bymicrocomputer 301 as: ##EQU4## where e, g, and h are predetermined constants.

Calorie consumption is computed bymicrocomputer 301 from exercise heart rate, as coupled to input terminal L2 of the microcomputer from oneshot 145, resting heart rate, as supplied to the microcomputer fromkeyboard 212, heart beats per MET, which is directly proportional to fitness factor, milliliters of oxygen per minute per pound, which is directly proportional to weight in pounds of the subject, as supplied tomicrocomputer 301 bykeyboard 212, as well as a function of sex of the subject.Microcomputer 301 computes heart beats per MET as:

C=jF'+m

where

F'=fitness factor computed for the male or female cyclist, i.e., F_m or F_f ;

j and m are predetermined constants.

Computer 301 calculates milliliters of consumed oxygen formale cyclist 33 as:

K.sub.m =nW=P

and for female cyclists as: ##EQU5## where W=weight ofcyclist 33 and m, p and q are predetermined constants.Microprocessor 301 responds to these factors to compute calories per minute in accordance with: ##EQU6## where B=exercise heart rate in beats per minute;

R=resting heart rate in beats per minute;

K is given supra; and

v is a predetermined constant.

The equations and constants for the calculation of calories per minute are based on a so-called mixed diet of carbohydrates, fat and protein.

The calories per minute of exercise equations were evolved from a review of the literature and known research, in particular in the book "Physical Fitness and Weight Control", Charkey, Mountain Press Printing Company, 1974. It is known that the calorie consumption of the human body is directly proportional to oxygen consumption. If oxygen consumption could be directly measured, calories consumed would be related to oxygen consumption as a direct proportionality function. However, direct measurements of oxygen consumption can only be attained using sophisticated and cumbersome equipment. Thus, if it is desired to determine the calorie consumption of a subject undergoing physical activity, such as running, an indirect measurement of oxygen consumption must be made.

The hypothesis for the calorie consumption equations employed in the present invention relies upon several known phenomena. The first phenomenon is that under normal conditions there is a roughly linear relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate during exercise for a particular subject. The roughly linear relationship has a slope that changes with the physical fitness of the subject. This is because a physically fit person is able to transport the same amount of oxygen at a lower heart rate than an unfit person. The relationship between oxygen uptake and heart rate is generally independent of sex and age, although females require higher heart rates to transport the same amount of oxygen as males. The second phenomenon relies upon the concept of METs (multiples of the metabolic need for sitting quietly) to quantify workloads of subjects undergoing exercise. The METs concept assumes that energy requirements of a subject at rest are substantially constant for a given unit of body mass. The oxygen requirement for one kilogram of body weight depends on total body weight. On average, the oxygen requirement for one kilogram of body weight is 3.5 milliliters per minute at rest, i.e., at one MET. Depending upon the source of fuel utilized by the subject (fat and/or carbohydrates), the caloric equivalent for one liter of oxygen amounts to 4700 to 5000 calories. Thus, the caloric equivalent of one MET is, on the average, 70 calories per minute per kilogram of body weight. The hourly caloric equivalent of one MET is then 1000 calories per kilogram. Assuming an exercise routine requires 10 METs, the hourly energy requirement is 10 kilocalories per kilogram, or a total of 750 kilocalories for a person with a weight of 75 kilograms.

A third factor, which has been employed and which occurs because of the linear relation between heart beat rate to oxygen uptake, is that heart rate increases are related to physical condition of the subject. This can be shown from known fitness tables as follows: heart beat rate change of eight beats per MET indicates superior physical condition; heart beat rate change of nine beats per MET indicates excellent physical condition; heart beat rate change of ten beats per MET equals good physical condition; heart beat rate change of eleven beats per MET indicates fair physical condition; heart beat rate change of twelve beats per MET indicates poor physical condition; and heart beat rate change of thirteen beats per MET indicates very poor physical condition.

A fourth factor which has been relied upon is the relationship between oxygen and calorie consumption. It has been determined that each liter of oxygen consumed is the equivalent of 4.7-5.0 kilocalories of energy. The range of 4.7-5.0 kilocalories is further defined by considering that under normal conditions athletes depend upon carbohydrates and fats as muscular energy sources. If all of the energy from a physical activity comes exclusively from carbohydrates or from fat, a person respectively uses 5.05 or 4.60 kilocalories per liter of oxygen. Most subjects, however, rely upon energy from both sources during an exercise routine. At rest, and while sprinting, most, if not all, energy comes from carbohydrates. Long duration exercise, 2 hours or more, requires energy consumption to come from body fat. However, when a person exercises aerobically for 10 to 30 minutes, 60% of the energy comes from fat and 40% comes from carbohydrates. Therefore, 4.825 calories per minute per liter of oxygen is an appropriate factor to be employed inmicrocomputer 301.

Because basal metabolism rates drop about 1/2-1% a year for each year past the age of 26 for male, and for each year past the age of 21 for female, calorie consumption in the equation is adjusted downwardly at the rate of approximately 1/2% for each year above 26 for males and for each year above 21 for females. Thus,microcomputer 301 also responds to the age input fromkeyboard 212 to calculate calories per minute of exercise.microcomputer 301 responds to the inputs to update calories per minute of exercise once a minute. Each of the updated calories per minute of exercise values is supplied to an accumulator and then is stored in the random access memory of the microcomputer, so thatcyclist 33 is able to determine total calorie consumption.

The wheel and pedal pulses derived from oneshots 146 and 545 are combined inmicrocomputer 301 with the timing signal derived fromoscillator 304 to calculate gear ratio as: ##EQU7## where Q=a predetermined constant

P=pedal turning rate

W=wheel turning rate.

The calculated value of G is combined with the numerical value entered after activation ofkey 439 or after display of E9 for desired speed to derive a binary signal having a value in accordance with:

H=YGS,

where

Y=a predetermined constant

S=desired speed.

The desired pedal turning rate binary signal having the value H is supplied bymicrocomputer 301 to output terminal R7 thereof.

The binary signal at terminal R7 is converted into a series of pulses having a repetition rate equal to the necessary pedal rotation rate. The signal at terminal R7 is supplied to digital to analog converter 601 which derives a d.c. level having an amplitude proportional to necessary pedal rate. The d.c. level derived from converter 601 is supplied to a frequency control input of voltage controlled,variable frequency oscillator 602.Oscillator 602 generates a series of pulses having a frequency determined by the signal amplitude applied to it byconverter 602. The pulses fromoscillator 602 are selectively combined with a 2 KHz tone and gated topiezoelectric crystal 335, to generate an aural cue signal for each turn ofpedals 20 necessary to achieve the desired speed as described infra.

Microcomputer 301 has four outputs R0-R3 and O1-O8 which drive eight inputs of liquidcrystal display controller 303. In a preferred embodiment,display controller 303 is an integrated circuit element, with a nomenclature ICM 7211 AIPL.Display controller 303 responds to the signals applied bymicrocomputer 301 to input terminals D1-D4 and DS1-DS4 to energize three liquidcrystal display characters 321, 322 and 323 inliquid crystal display 431. Each ofcharacters 321, 322 and 323 includes seven segments, arranged in a straight line so that when all segments of a character are activated, the character appears to be thenumeral 8. Segments ofcharacters 321, 322 and 323 are selectively activated in response to signals supplied to input terminals D1-D4 and DSL-DS4 ofcontroller 303 to enable display of 16 characters, viz: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, H, E, L and P, as well as a blank.Controller 303 includes, internally thereof, a self-contained resistance capacitance oscillator, a divider chain, a backplane driver, and 28 segment outputs, for four different characters. The 28 segment outputs provide a zero DC component signal necessary for a long display life for the liquid crystals indisplay 31.Controller 303 is supplied with true binary signals from microcomputer terminals O1, O2, O4 and O8. The data frommicrocomputer 301 are strobed intocontroller 303 under the control of outputs R0-R3 ofmicrocomputer 301. The least significant digit output ofcontroller 303 is strobed under the control of the signal at output terminal R2 ofmicrocomputer 301, while the most significant digit ofcontroller 303 is strobed under control of the signal at terminal R3. Only three of the available eight segments are used in the least significant bit position of the output ofcontroller 303 to control annunciators associated withtime key 457,calorie key 455, miles perhour key 454,distance key 453, andpedal rpm key 560.

Controller 303 includes a further output terminal BP which is energized in response to a predetermined state of the segment supplied by terminals O1, O2, O4 and O8 tocontroller 303 to enable the gates ofgate array 308 simultaneously by virtue of a parallel input to the gates from terminal BP. Four exclusive OR gates 325-329 are included ingate array 308.Gate 325, responsive to a signal at output terminal OSL ofmicrocomputer 301, includes an output terminal connected to drivedecimal point 330 inliquid crystal display 431, which decimal point is positioned betweencharacters 321 and 322.Gate 326, connected to output terminal R5 ofmicrocomputer 301, when biased by the signal at terminal BP ofcontroller 303, drives an annunciator associated withdistance key 453.Gate 327 has an input terminal responsive to the signal at output terminal R4 ofmicrocomputer 301 and an output terminal connected to drive an annunciator associated with beats per minute key 359. Exclusive ORgate 328 has an input responsive to oneshot 145 and an output which selectively drives annunciator 571 associated withLCD 451. Annunciator 571 is also selectively responsive to the output signal of oneshot 545.

In response to slideswitch 433 being in the audio or mute position, the contact ofswitch 553 couples the output ofgate 328 to annunciator 571, wherebyLCD 451 is activated for each heart beat of cyclist. In response to switch 433 being in the RPM position, the contact ofswitch 553 couples the output of one shot 545 to annunciator 571, wherebyLCD 451 is activated for each turn ofpedals 19. TherebyLCD 451 is activated for each heart beat pulse derived from oneshot 145 or in response to each pedal revolution pulse derived from oneshot 145. The annunciators responsive to the outputs of exclusive OR gates 325-328 for the time, calories, and miles per hour outputs ofcontroller 303 are not shown but are conventional and obvious to those skilled in the art; for example, the annunciator associated with the time, calorie, beats per minute, miles per hour and mile outputs ofcontroller 303 and gates 325-328 are connected in series with the switches inkeyboard 212 with which they are associated.

The aural indications derived from the speaker behindscreen 452 are selectively derived. The aural signal has a tone at a fixed frequency of 2 kiloHertz, as derived fromaudio oscillator 305.Audio oscillator 305 is preferably an integrated circuit chip, type ICM 7556 IPD, having a frequency determined by the values ofresistors 331 and 332, connected in series with each other andcapacitor 333. The seriescircuit including resistors 331 and 332, as well ascapacitor 333, is connected between a plus DC power supply voltage and ground. A tap betweenresistors 331 and 332 is connected to inputterminal 1 ofchip 330; a tap betweenresistor 332 andcapacitor 333 is connected in parallel to inputterminals 2 and 6 ofchip 330.Chip 330 is selectively activated in response to an output signal ofmicrocomputer 301 at terminal R13.

The audio output signal ofoscillator chip 330, atterminal 5 thereof, is selectively gated to piezoelectric audio indicator 335 which drives the speaker behindgrill 452 in response to the heart beat output signal of oneshot 145, the pulses fromoscillator 602, and the output signals at terminals R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301. The signals are combined in an array of gates includingNAND gates 336, 337, 338, 603, 604 and 605 andOR gate 606 each of which includes two input terminals. The two input terminals ofNAND gate 336 are respectively responsive to the output signal ofoscillator chip 330, atterminal 5 thereof, and the output ofmicrocomputer 301 at terminal R14, which also drives one of the inputs ofNAND gate 337. The remaining input ofNAND gate 337 is responsive to the heart beat output signal of oneshot 145.Gate 603 is responsive to the pulse output ofoscillator 602 and the signal at output terminal R15 ofmicrocomputer 301, whilegate 604 is responsive to the signal at terminal R15 and the 2 KHz tone derived fromoscillator 305. Output signals ofNAND gates 336 and 337 are combined inNAND gate 338, while the output signals ofNAND gates 603 and 604 are combined inNAND gate 605. Non zero outputs, derived on a mutually exclusive basis fromgates 338 and 605, are supplied to ORgate 606, having an output which is DC coupled to the base ofNPN transistor 339, connected in the common emitter mode, so that piezoelectric crystal 335 is connected between a positive DC power supply voltage and the transistor collector.

Gates 336-338 and 603-606 are connected to be responsive to the output signals of voltage controlledoscillator 602, oneshot 145, integratedcircuit chip 330 and the signals at terminals R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301, andterminal 4 ofchip 330 is responsive to the signal at terminal R13 ofmicrocomputer 301, so that: (1) no audio signal is derived from piezoelectric crystal 335 in response to binary zeros being derived at output terminals R13, R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301; (2) a 2 KHz audio output signal is derived fromcrystal 335 in response to each heart beat pulse derived from oneshot 145, when binary one, zero and zero signals are respectively derived from terminals R13, R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301; (3) a continuous two KHz audio output signal is derived fromcrystal 335 in response to binary one, one and zero signals being respectively derived from output terminals R13, R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301; and (4) 2 KHz audio output pulses are derived fromcrystal 335 at a variable rate, once for each desired turn ofpedals 20, in response to binary one, zero and one signals at output terminals R13, R14 and R15 ofmicrocomputer 301.

DC power is supplied to the circuit components illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b by a power supply network including three series AAdry cells 341, each of which has a voltage of 1.5 volts.Dry cells 341 are selectively connected to the circuitry through switch contacts 342 which are responsive to movement oftoggle switch 214, FIG. 5a. The voltage supplied through switch contacts 342 is regulated by backbiased diode 343, across which is connected the parallel combinations oflight switch 344 and light emittingdiode 345, which corresponds withlamp 461, onhousing 417. For the power down situation, the voltage developed acrossdiode 343 is selectively applied byswitch contact 346, when the device is not in the power down state, to all of the active circuit elements of FIGS. 9, 10a and 10b, exceptmicrocomputer 301. Of course,memory elements 311 and 312 remain programmed even though they are not supplied with power by way ofswitch 346 because they are read only memories. Power is continuously applied tomicrocomputer 301, regardless of the position ofswitch 346, as long as switch 342 is closed, by virtue of the connection of switch contact 342 to terminal BATT ofmicrocomputer 301. Thereby, the random access memory withinmicrocomputer 301 stores data during the power down mode, to minimize the drain onbatteries 341; withswitch 346 opened and switch 342 closed, so power is applied only tomicrocomputer 301, the drain fromdry cells 341 is approximately 1 microampere.

Power upcircuit 309 sets the random access memory ofcomputer 301 to a predetermined programmed position for initiation and execution of the program algorithm stored in the read onlymemory 302. Power upcircuit 309 also includesswitch 351, which is responsive to depression ofclear entry button 216. Power upcircuit 309 includes back biaseddiode 352, shunted byresistor 353. The parallel combination ofdiode 352 andresistor 353 is connected bycapacitor 354 toterminal 5 ofmicrocomputer 301.Capacitor 354 is selectively short circuited by closure ofswitch contacts 351, which also setsmicrocomputer 301 to the predetermined initial program position for execution of the program algorithm stored in read onlymemory 302.

While there have been described and illustrated several specific embodiments of the invention, it will be clear that variations in the details of the embodiments specifically illustrated and described may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the invention can be used by physicians or cyclists in connection with a conventional EKG chart recorder responsive to the EKG signal derived fromamplifier 103, FIG. 9. The invention can be utilized with any self-propelled cycle device, whether it be a stationary device or a moving device. Certain aspects of the invention can be utilized with other self-propelled devices requiring considerable expenditure of energy by an athlete, such as rowing machines, row boats, kayaks, and the like.

Claims (30)

What is claimed is:

1. A device for enabling the speed of a bicycle wheel having spokes to be determined comprising a bicycle reflector, a housing for carrying the reflector, means for mounting the housing on the spokes so the reflector is substantially broadside to the direction of wheel travel, and a permanent magnet carried by the housing in a position enabling magnetic flux to be coupled from the permanent magnet to a magnetic flux sensitive transducer mounted on a part of the bicycle stationary relative to the spokes and the reflector to be seen by viewers broadside of the wheel.

2. A device for enabling the speed of a bicycle wheel having spokes to be determined comprising a bicycle reflector, a first housing for carrying the reflector, means for mounting the first housing on the spokes so the reflector is substantially broadside to the direction of wheel travel, a magnetic flux transducer, a second housing for the transducer, means for mounting the second housing on a part of the bicycle stationary with respect to the wheel, and a permanent magnet carried by the first housing in a position enabling magnetic flux to be coupled from the permanent magnet to the transducer and the reflector to be seen by viewers broadside of the wheel.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the transducer includes a reed switch with contacts responsive to the magnetic flux.

4. The device of claim 2 or 3 wherein the second housing mounting means includes means for enabling the second housing to be selectively secured to and removed from the bicycle part.

5. Apparatus for testing the physical condition of a cyclist comprising means adapted to be mounted on the subject for monitoring and deriving a first signal indicative of heart activity of the subject, means adapted to be mounted on a cycle for deriving a second signal indicative of distance traversed by the cycle during testing, input means for deriving at least one signal indicative of a predetermined physiological parameter of the subject, a clock source for deriving a timing signal during testing of the cyclist, computer means responsive to the first, second, predetermined physiological parameter and timing signals for calculating deriving a signal indicative of physical activity of the cyclist being tested, and indicator means responsive to the physical activity signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the first signal deriving means includes means for monitoring the number of heart beats of the subject.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the computer means responds to the second signal and the clock source for deriving another signal indicative of the speed of the bicycle during testing.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the computer means responds to the second signal and the clock source for deriving another signal indicative of the speed of the bicycle during testing.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 or 8 wherein the bicycle has a wheel with spokes, and second signal deriving means includes a bicycle reflector, a first housing for carrying the reflector, means for mounting the first housing on the spokes so the reflector is substantially broadside to the direction of wheel travel, and a permanent magnet carried by the first housing in a position enabling magnetic flux to be coupled from the permanent magnet to a magnetic flux sensitive transducer mounted on a part of the bicycle stationary relative to the spokes and the reflector to be seen by viewers broadside of the wheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, 6, 7 or 8 wherein the bicycle includes a sprocket assembly and further including means for deriving a pulse for each revolution of the sprocket assembly, the computer responding to the pulses and the clock source for calculating deriving a signal indicative of number of sprocket assembly turns per unit length of time.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the pulse deriving means includes a permanent magnet mounted on the sprocket assembly, and a magnetic flux sensor mounted on a part of the bicycle about which the sprocket assembly turns and positioned to respond to magnetic flux variations resulting from the permanent magnet turning with the sprocket assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the pulse deriving means includes a permanent magnet mounted on the sprocket assembly, and a reed switch having contacts, the reed switch being mounted on a part of the bicycle about which the sprocket assembly turns and positioned so the contacts respond to magnetic flux variations resulting from the permanent magnet turning with the sprocket assembly.

13. Apparatus for testing the physical condition of a subject riding a vehicle propelled by the subject comprising means adapted to be mounted on the subject for monitoring and deriving a first signal indicative of heart activity of the subject, means adapted to be mounted on the vehicle for deriving a second signal associated with distance traversed by the subject during testing, a portable electronic instrument housing, means for coupling said first and second signals to terminals on the instrument housing, said housing including: (a) a keyboard for enabling signals to be derived indicative of numerical quantities associated with plural physiological parameters of the subject, (b) a clock source for deriving timing signals, (c) digital computer means responsive to the first, second, timing and keyboard signals for calculating plural digital output signals indicative of different physical activities of the tested subject, (d) visual digital indicator means, (e) plural key switches, each associated with a different one of the physical activities, and (f) means responsive to activation of the plural key switches for selectively coupling different ones of the plural output signals to the visual indicator means so only one of the output signals is supplied to the indicator means at a time.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first signal deriving means includes means for monitoring the number of heart beats of the subject.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the vehicle is a bicycle and the computer means responds to the second signal and the clock source for deriving another signal indicative of the speed of the bicycle during testing.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the vehicle is a bicycle and the computer means responds to the second signal and the clock source for deriving another signal indicative of the speed of the bicycle during testing.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 or 16 wherein the vehicle is a bicycle having a wheel with spokes, said second signal deriving means including a bicycle reflector, a first housing for carrying the reflector, means for mounting the first housing on the spokes so the reflector is substantially broadside to the direction of wheel travel, and a permanent magnet carried by the first housing in a position enabling magnetic flux to be coupled from the permanent magnet to a magnetic flux sensitive transducer mounted on a part of the bicycle stationary relative to the spokes and the reflector to be seen by viewers broadside of the wheel.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, 14 or 15 wherein the vehicle is a bicycle including a sprocket assembly and further including means for calculating a pulse for each revolution of the sprocket assembly, the computer responding to the pulses and the clock source for calculating a signal indicative of number of sprocket assembly turns per unit length of time.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the pulse deriving means includes a permanent magnet mounted on the sprocket assembly, and a magnetic flux sensor mounted on a part of the bicycle about which the sprocket assembly turns and positioned to respond to magnetic flux variations resulting from the permanent magnet turning with the sprocket assembly.

20. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the pulse deriving means includes a permanent magnet mounted on the sprocket assembly, and a reed switch having contact, the reed switch being mounted on a part of the bicycle about which the sprocket assembly turns and positioned so the contacts respond to magnetic flux variations resulting from the permanent magnet turning with the sprocket assembly.

21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the vehicle is a multigear cycle, means for deriving a cueing signal to assist the cyclist in maintaining a desired constant forward speed regardless of gear ratio, said cueing signal deriving means including transducer means for deriving third and fourth signals respectively indicative of pedal and wheel turning speeds, said computer means being responsive to the third and fourth signals and an indication of the desired, constant forward speed for calculating deriving the cueing signal.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the transducer means includes means for deriving a pulse each time the wheel turns.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22 wherein the transducer means includes means for deriving a pulse each time the pedal turns.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the cueing signal is an aural pulse derived at a rate of once for each desired pedal turn.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 or 22 wherein the cueing signal is an aural pulse derived at a rate of once for each desired pedal turn.

26. Apparatus for supplying cueing signals to a cyclist of a multigear cycle propelled by turning of pedals, the cueing signal being designed to assist the cyclist in maintaining a desired, constant forward speed regardless of gear ratio, comprising transducer means for deriving first and second signals respectively indicative of pedal and wheel turning speeds, and means for combining first and second signals and an indication of the desired, constant forward speed for calculating the frequency of a cueing signal and for deriving a cueing signal at the computed frequency.

27. The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the transducer means includes means for deriving a pulse each time the wheel turns.

28. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27 wherein the transducer means includes means for deriving a pulse each time the pedal turns.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the cueing signal is an aural pulse derived at a rate of once for each desired pedal turn.

30. The apparatus of claim 26 or 27 wherein the cueing signal is an aural pulse derived at a rate of once for each desired pedal turn.

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